2020 Toyota Highlander: An overlooked rival

For the rest of the world, mostly European vehicles appeal to the purchasing desires of the affluent members of society. In Bangladesh, however, the ultimate go-to model for the elite society has been the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado for the longest time.

While in recent years, buyers did diversify their preferences (popularizing the Mercedes G-Class and BMW X series models), there has always been yet another option that directly competes in terms of price and that too from Toyota itself – but it always went under the radar.

Introducing the 2020 Toyota Highlander – a model we tested out for this week's issue of Wheels. This unit in pictures is owned by Fahad Sadiq who uses it daily and has driven it for about 17,000 km at the time of this writeup.

At first glance, the Highlander might deceive you. If you stare at it head-on or catch it in your rearview, you'd be tricked into thinking it's just another midsize SUV. But it's only when you see it from the side that the Highlander's true stature becomes evident.

It’s only when you see it from the side that the Highlander’s true stature becomes evident. PHOTO: Arfin Kazi

Globally, this model is a successor to the Toyota Kluger. So, this seven-seater isn't a proper 4x4. That being said, it's easily longer than the Prado, and that extra length translates into better rear legroom.

On closer look, Toyota shows us that size isn't the only trick this Highlander has up its sleeve.

Being a model that's also offered in the American market, Toyota had to make it mammoth-sized to fit in with the traffic of the West. In our case, amongst the tiny Japanese vehicles, it boldly stands out on the road.

Its mean demeanour, flanked by sleek, pointed projection headlights, makes it look like they're ready to cut through the night. The large grille practically glares at you while its sharp corners and bold body lines give it an imposing stance that commands attention, even when standing still.

The dashboard design is as Toyota as it gets with its tactile buttons and knobs, yet, for a Toyota, this is almost like a luxury lounge on wheels. PHOTO: Akif Hamid

Step inside and the Highlander will greet you with a roomy interior. The large windows flood the cabin with light, which is further enhanced by the massive panoramic sunroof. It practically opens up the sky but only up to the second row passengers.

The dashboard design is as Toyota as it gets with its tactile buttons and knobs. Yet, for a Toyota, this is almost like a luxury lounge on wheels. It comes with heated and ventilated seats as well as a heating steering, much expected from a car of its class.

To top it off, unlike Japanese Domestic Models (JDM), its infotainment comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard and is paired to a nicely tuned sound system from JBL.

Unlike Japanese Domestic Models (JDMs), its infotainment comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. PHOTO: Akif Hamid

The ride quality is also worth a mention. While the Prado's 4x4 system might be more rugged, the Highlander's commuter car springs offer a ride quality that feels more suited to city life. Bumps are absorbed with ease, and that 'wobbly, bouncy castle' sensation so many large SUVs suffer from is blissfully absent.

Despite the humongous size, under the hood lies a 2500cc A25-FXS engine paired with two electric motors. This hybrid powertrain churns out a combined 243 horsepower and 175 Nm of torque that's sent to all four wheels.

While that's slightly higher than the Prado, one may wonder if it's enough. Surprisingly, however, it works. "For a family SUV, it feels surprisingly quick, with 0-100 km/h taking about seven seconds," Fahad stated.

While we can't vouch for its off-road prowess, it handles the city streets with ease. And in a congested city like Dhaka, it's more than enough.

One place where the Highlander destroys the rest of the competition is in terms of fuel economy.

According to Fahad, fuel economy figures can go up to 24 km/l in city driving (if you're careful), and up to 26 km/l during highway drives. This hybrid system is a clear win for anyone looking to save on fuel costs while still driving a capable SUV.

The massive panoramic sunroof floods the cabin with light, along with the large windows. PHOTO: Akif Hamid

Putting the driving bit aside, the Highlander manages to pull off a remarkably comfortable and composed ride too. During our test drive, Fahad continued to demonstrate how his SUV had less body roll than you'd expect, leading to more assured cornering.

Part of that might be down to the underfloor battery pack in this hybrid model that's lowering the centre of gravity. Hence for an SUV, it feels planted and nimble.

If you're in the market for a Japanese SUV with a budget of over Tk1 crore, the Highlander offers an alternative that's hard to ignore. At a starting price of about Tk1.1 crore in the grey market, the Highlander is a model that not only undercuts the Prado in price but also delivers a more refined ride and absurdly better fuel efficiency.

Not to mention the suite of modern features although that's far less than the German alternatives.

While the hybrid system might require cell replacement in the long run, you're doing your bit for the environment while saving at the pump. Hence, the Highlander might just be the smart SUV choice you never knew you needed.

Specification:

Engine:  2500cc A25-FXS

Transmission: eCVT

Power: 243 horsepower

Torque: 175 Nm

Price: Starts at Tk1.1 Crore (Approx.)